Injury compensation news

Gymnast awarded for injury compensation claim

A gymnast left paralysed after breaking his neck when performing a stunt 12 years ago could receive up to £6 million in personal injury compensation.

Josh Harcourt, 18, of Charing, Kent, made a compensation claim through his mother after suffering the neck injury in September 2004 whilst training at the Pegasus Gymnastics Club, near Maidstone.

Josh was due to take part in the British Championships in Wigan but was forced to pull out after sustaining a personal injury whilst performing a "difficult and dangerous manoeuvre".

Through his mother, Maxine Harcourt, Josh contacted personal injury solicitors and made an injury claim against the club and its trainers, Ovidiu Rugina and Lonut Trandaburu.

He claimed that the former Romanian gymnasts acted negligently when they asked him to perform a difficult manoeuvre that he had already failed to successfully complete.

The exercise involved spinning 540 degrees in the air, landing on his shoulders and upper back before rolling down his spine to land standing on his feet. Josh tried to make the manoeuvre but was winded when he landed on his back.

On his second attempt, Josh landed on his front with his neck and shoulders landing between two exercise mats, which caused him to fracture his vertebra and spinal cord.

At the High Court Mr Justice Ramsey awarded Josh an interim payment of £1 million for his compensation claim and his solicitors believe that he could be awarded up to nearly £6 million in the future.

Justice Ramsey said, "This was a tragic accident which has had a considerable impact on Josh and his family.

"It is quite clear that Josh is a person of great character who is currently, despite his difficulties, taking A-levels and hopes to go on to university.

"As a result he will need specific support and care in the future and it is a credit to him and his family that he's managed to overcome these great difficulties in such a way."